RIDING SAFE: Transporting Children with Special Needs Guide for certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians
Objectives • To gain basic knowledge of special medical or health conditions that may require specialized transportation. • To learn about types of specialized child restraints beneficial for certain medical conditions. • To find out how to access the Illinois Special Needs CPS Resource Center at Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
Definition of “Special Needs” Children with special health care needs are those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require healthcare or services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally . PEDIATRICS, July 1998
Illinois Child Passenger Safety Law (effective January 1, 2004) Illinois CPS law includes an exemption specific to children with special medical needs. The provisions of this Act shall not apply to a child passenger with a physical disability of such a nature as to prevent appropriate restraint in a seat, provided that the disability is duly certified by a physician who shall state the nature of the disability, as well as the reason the restraint is inappropriate. No physician shall be liable, and no cause of action may be brought for personal injuries resulting from the exercise of good faith judgment in making certifications under this provision. Though this exemption is in place, it is always BEST PRACTICE for any child to be properly restrained in an appropriate child restraint.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS General Summary of Common Medical Conditions
Medical Conditions Certain medical conditions may create a need for specific positioning in a car seat, additional support for the child, or specialized transportation to meet the child’s health needs. This may be because of the child’s size , breathing issues , lack of muscle tone , surgical procedures , and more. The following slides will give you a brief overview of some common medical conditions.
Low Birth Weight & Prematurity Infants born less than 5.5 pounds (2500 grams) are considered “low birth weight.” * This can include premature or full-term infants. Infants born less than 37 weeks gestation are considered “premature.”
Low Birth Weight & Prematurity Have increased risk for breathing or heart rate difficulties. May require travel in a fully reclined position (laying flat) due to difficulty breathing or low heart rate. Need child restraints that accommodate their smaller size .
Low Birth Weight & Prematurity It is recommended these infants have a car seat trial before hospital discharge. NOTE: Hospitals are NOT REQUIRED to conduct car seat trials. Infants are tested in a car seat or car bed and are monitored for: Apnea: temporary interruption in breathing Bradycardia: slowing of heart rate Oxygen Desaturation: lowered oxygen levels Car seat trials can help determine if the infant can ride safely in a conventional car seat or if the infant needs a car bed.
Orthopedic Conditions Traumatic injuries (vehicle crashes, falls) or genetic conditions (brittle bone disease, hip dysplasia) can lead to broken bones or dislocations that require orthopedic devices. Devices (casts, braces, halos) Halo Traction immobilize a specific body part to support healing.
Orthopedic Conditions Children in casts or braces may have difficulty fitting in their conventional car seats due to: Inability to bend at the waist/hips Example: Hip Spica Cast (top right) Photo courtesy of National for the Safe Transportation Legs stabilized too wide apart Children with Special Health Care Needs Example: Long leg casts (bottom right) Insufficient head room Example: Halo Traction (previous slide)
Neuromuscular Disorders Neuromuscular disorders can affect the brain, spine, and muscles. Common disorders include (but not limited to) : Cerebral Palsy: affects movement, posture, muscle control Hydrocephalus: abnormal fluid in skull causes disproportionate head size Spina Bifida: birth defect of the spine
Neuromuscular Disorders Children with neuromuscular disorders often times will have difficulty with head, neck, and/or trunk control . In these cases, children may need additional support in sitting upright in child restraints.
Developmental Delays & Behavioral Conditions Children with developmental delays gain skills at a slower rate. This includes motor and behavioral skills. Children with behavioral conditions can have issues with impulse control, distractions, and short attention spans . As they get older, some children may not be mature enough to simply use booster seats or seat belts. They may need more supportive child restraints.
Developmental Delays & Behavioral Conditions Common conditions include (but not limited to): Down Syndrome: occurs in 1 in 700 births Autism Spectrum Disorder: occurs in 1 in 110 births Often parents and caregivers need assistance in finding the most appropriate child restraint for their children. Common issues: • Larger or older children outgrowing harness straps • Children getting out of harness straps – undoing buckles • Resistance to using child restraints
Conventional Car Seats Do ALL children with special needs have to use specialized restraints? NO Use conventional car seats as a FIRST OPTION when possible. They are typically less expensive, easier to use, and more readily available. Make sure that the car seat is appropriate for the child’s height, weight, and positioning needs.
Conventional Car Seats Conventional car seats with certain features may be beneficial to properly position children with special needs. Lower minimum weight limits Forward-facing recline for smaller infants for children with limited muscle control Higher weight limit harnesses for larger children needing Open head room support of full harness system for children with halos or hydrocephalus Multiple recline positions for infants with breathing or head Low/no sides control issues for children in casts or braces
Specialized Child Restraints Basic Overview of Car Beds, Orthopedic Condition Restraints, & Large Medical Restraints
Car Beds Car beds allow infants to travel in a fully reclined position. Three (3) types of car beds are available on the current market. Angel Ride Car Bed Dream Ride Car Bed Hope Car Bed
Car Beds – Angel Ride For Infants up to 9 pounds & 21.5 inches No minimum weight OPTION for: Infants weighing less than 5 pounds at discharge Infants unable to tolerate “semi - reclined” position Infants who must travel on stomach or right side Three (3) Positions: Supine (back) Prone (stomach) *only if medically necessary Right Side *only if medically necessary Supine Position
Car Beds – Angel Ride Head faces center of vehicle Installation: Rear Passenger or Center positions ONLY NEVER on Driver’s Side Head must ALWAYS face center of vehicle Seat belt routes around outside of car bed (lap belt portion only) Fabric loops thread around seat belt to prevent back of car bed from tipping up Fabric loops around seat belt
Car Beds – Dream Ride For Infants 5 – 20 pounds & 19-26 inches OPTION for: Larger infants unable to tolerate “semi -reclined ” position Larger infants who must travel on stomach Prone Position Car bed to be installed on Driver’s side in vehicle Two (2) Positions: Supine (back) Prone (stomach) *only if medically necessary
Car Beds – Dream Ride Installation: Fabric loops to route seat belt Rear seating positions Head must ALWAYS face center of vehicle Seat belt routes through 2 fabric loops facing the back of vehicle Can be a challenging seat installation to get a tight fit Fabric loops can be transferred to either side of car bed to ensure head faces center of vehicle.
Car Beds – Hope Car Bed For Infants 4.5 – 35 pounds & up to 29 inches OPTION for: Infants unable to tolerate “semi - reclined” position Infants who must travel on stomach or right side Infants with serious medical conditions who cannot use harness straps Three (3) Positions: Supine (back) Prone (stomach) *only if medically necessary Cummerbund 3 point Harness Right side *only if medically necessary Restraint Options: 3 point harness with cummerbund Sleeping bag with cummerbund
Car Beds – Hope Car Bed Installation: Rear passenger position in vehicle ONLY Head must ALWAYS face center of vehicle Must use two (2) seat belts to install Rebound strap Has rebound straps and/or leveling wedge to help keep car bed level on vehicle seat & for most secure installation
Car Beds - Misuse NO NO CANNOT install Angel Ride on driver’s side CANNOT install Angel Ride backwards CANNOT position infant on side in Dream Ride car bed
Orthopedic Condition Restraints Orthopedic Condition Restraints provide support and proper positioning for children with casts or braces. Modified EZ-On Vest Hippo Car Seat
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